Strap 2: Around rod and through
slot in “West” side of chassis
Strap 1: Loop around rod
and “North” side of chassis
3.4 Inkscape, with WaterColorBot Extensions for Inkscape
Inkscape is a superb, free vector graphics editor, for which we have written an extension (a
plugin) that directly controls the WaterColorBot.
Our extension provides a fi ne grain level of control over exactly what will be painted, but
more-or-less requires that you create the artwork within Inkscape to take full advantage
of the features. For example,
layers
within a drawing are used to indicate which parts of the
drawing will be painted with which colors. You can read much more about that process in
our online documentation: http://watercolorbot.com/software
Inkscape itself (even ignoring the WaterColorBot extensions) is also capable of importing
artwork in various vector graphics formats, as well as PDF (and tracing bitmap graphics
to some extent). You can use it to create or edit SVG graphics that you can then open in
RoboPaint
Users who have experience with the EggBot (and its Inkscape based driver) may wish
to start with this Inkscape and the WaterColorBot extensions, before trying the other
interfaces.
Skill Level:
Intermediate to Expert
Level of control:
Very high
Under the hood:
Python (for the WaterColorBot extensions)
Note:
Requires you to install Inkscape. Mac users will also need to install XQuartz.
Recommended for:
Artists, hackers, those seeking a fi ner level of control. RoboPaint
users who need a more powerful tool for importing, creating, or editing vector graphics.
Before operating the WaterColorBot 2.0 on a given day, take a moment to give the
machine a once-over to make sure that everything is working properly. Doing so will
improve the performance of the machine and prolong its life, as well as avoid several
potential sources of frustration.
The “real” prefl ight check is to try out the drive system and make sure that everything is
working properly. With power still disconnected, turn the winches by hand to move the
carriage once through its range of travel– all the way to the far corner and back. The
mechanism works (and feels) like an Etch A Sketch. If everything is set up correctly, the
carriage should move smoothly there and back, without requiring excessive force.
This routine serves a couple of purposes. First, it gets all the parts moving – pulleys and
bearings and all –to overcome any stiff ness in the joints after sitting still for a while. More
importantly, it serves as an overall diagnostic and health check for the machine. If the
4.1 Overview
4.2 Stowage Straps
4.3 Test the Drive System
Part 4:
Prefl ight Checks
Two reusable velcro straps lock the carriage
in the home corner during shipping and/or
storage. The fi rst setup step is to remove
and set aside these two straps.
When packing up again, dis-
connect from power and
move the carriage to the
home corner. Then, gently
but securely, re-apply the two
straps in the locations shown.
Turn Winch
Turn Winch
Move carriage
through its full
range of travel
